Grassroots Jerusalem strongly supports the global BDS call as a strategic nonviolent tool to hold “Israel” accountable for its oppression of the Palestinian people.

Boycotts target products and companies (Israeli and international) that profit from the violation of Palestinian rights, as well as Israeli sporting, cultural and academic institutions. Anyone can boycott Israeli goods simply by refusing to purchase products made in Israel or by Israeli companies. Campaigners and groups call on consumers not to buy Israeli goods and on businesses not to buy or sell them.

Israeli cultural and academic institutions directly contribute to maintaining, defending or whitewashing the oppression of Palestinians as Israel deliberately tries to boost its image internationally through academic and cultural collaborations. As part of the boycott, academics, artists and consumers are campaigning against such collaboration and ‘rebranding.’ A growing number of artists have refused to exhibit or perform in Israel.

Divestment targets corporations complicit in the violation of Palestinian rights and ensures that investment portfolios and pension funds are not used to finance such companies. These efforts raise awareness about the reality of Israel’s policies and encourage companies to use their economic influence to pressure Israel to end its systematic denial of Palestinian rights.

Sanctions are an essential part of demonstrating disapproval for a country’s actions. Israel’s membership in various diplomatic and economic forums provides both a veneer of respectability and material support for its crimes. By calling for sanctions against Israel, campaigners educate society about violations of international law and seek to end the complicity of other nations in these violations.

Grassroots Jerusalem believes that by calling on your respective governments and companies profiting from the occupation you can play a crucial role in the future of Palestine.

For further information about the BDS Movement, please visit their webpage.

Take Action

Grassroots Jerusalem believes that every single person can make a difference. Take action and call on your respective governments and the companies benefitting from the occupation to end the countless violations of international and humanitarian law that they either perpetuate or passively support by standing idly by as the human rights of Palestinians are violated.

For that reason, we have put together a report that profiles specific international business benefiting from the occupation and shares tools to facilitate direct action against them.

Grassroots Jerusalem is calling on:

Palestinians in Jerusalem to raise awareness of businesses supporting settlements and to boycott them.

Activists to keep Jerusalem at the forefront of international campaigns.

International businesses to divest, not just from the West Bank but from settlements within Jerusalem as well.

Those with power in countries with links to businesses supporting the occupation of Jerusalem to withdraw support.